A/W: Hey, guys! In the previous chapter, Terra, upset by the disastrous events in Thamasa, spent two weeks in depression, isolating herself from her father and friends, but a letter from Arvis urged her not to give up just yet. Meanwhile, Kefka and Gestahl have raised the Floating Continent, and are trying to seize the power of the Triad of Discord. Will our heroes be able to arrive on time? Let's find out in the next chapters! I apologize for the long wait, but there were a number of problems in between, such as the old computer. In the last few days I had even auditioned for an unofficial Italian dubbing project of Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach on Youtube, but unfortunately, with the arrival of the results last night, I could not get even one of the three roles for which I had applied (Freddy, Sun/Moon and male MapBot) and I didn't pass the selections. It's a shame, really, because even though it was the first time, I cared, because I barely have contact with friends, and the fact that I always have to be the one to start a conversation to get others to notice me and talk to me is incredibly irritating to me, maybe I had auditioned to prove to myself and others that I am also worth, that I am worthy of something, I do not know. Let's not think about it anymore though, and let's get started!
Chapter 23: The Floating Continent
(''Gusty Garden Galaxy- Super Mario Galaxy OST'')
(Objective: Reach the Floating Continent with Blackjack!)
Characters:
Terra
Mog
Locke
Celes
Edgar
Sabin
Cyan
Gau
Setzer
Strago
Relm
Setzer wasted no time in maximizing the speed of the Blackjack. There was even more urgency in the air than when Edgar's group had to reach Terra and the others at Thamasa, as the whole world was in danger. For several minutes, Interceptor was terribly quiet, as being worried about his master, he no longer barked and did not stop whining, which worried Terra. In the meantime, he had taken it upon himself to protect Relm from danger, not that she did not need it: exposure to the Magicites had allowed her and Strago to learn useful spell.
''Don't worry, Interceptor. We'll find him.'' said Relm, but the Interceptor remained silent.
''Setzer, do you see the Floating Continent?'' asked Sabin.
"It's getting higher and higher. Hold on tight!'' replied Setzer, and theBlackjack quickly gained momentum. The Floating Continent moved further and further away, reaching as far above the clouds. Although the landscape was pleasant, there was no time to enjoy it, given the full emergency situation.
''We just hope to do it in time.'' said Terra.
''We'll make it, Terra. Or at least I hope so too.'' Celes told her.
Sabin stayed thinking for a while. ''Everything OK, Sabin?'' asked Edgar.
''Yeah, I was thinking about one thing. Cyan and Gau should know it too.'' Sabin replied.
''I understand. Cyan, Gau, come here. Sabin would like to tell you something.'' said Edgar.
''What is it?'' asked Gau.
''Edgar, do you remember when I was separated from you and others when we were crossing the Lethe River?'' asked Sabin.
''Yes?'' said Edgar.
''Well, after I met Cyan and Gau, we swam across a current to the town of Nikeah. In the tavern we met an old woman who told us about the old man who lived in the north, near one of the mouths of the river. He said that he had assisted his wife during childbirth, but she had not survived, and after that, he began to believe that his own newborn son was a monster and abandoned him in the Veldt, a vast plain where monsters migrate. I know this because Gau had made a strange face, as if he recognized all this. I also met an old man right there, who had threatened to throw me out into the Veldt, and I begin to think that he is really Gau's father. I'm not 100% sure, but my sixth sense as a martial artist tells me that's the case.'' reflected my brother.
''Perhaps. Maybe we'll know more about this later.'' said Edgar. ''But why are you talking about it now?''
"Because it occurred to me right now, and from what Cyan and I know, Gau spent his whole life alone in the Veldt. And he is only thirteen years old. For thirteen years of his life, he never knew his family. His mother died when she gave birth to him and his father abandoned him at birth. He left him to die, and for thirteen years, this young boy found himself alone against the world and had two choices: learn to fight on his own or die. So he grew up among monsters and learned to fight on his own. I can't believe that one can abandon their own son like that.'' replied Sabin, disgusted.
Gau seemed to look uncomfortable. He was intelligent enough to know the situation. Had his father really done this? He didn't even know who his father was, he had never seen his parents. Cyan noticed. ''Don't worry. Sabin and I will take care of you for the time being.'' he reassured him.
"And when all this is over, we will give you a new life. Who knows, maybe we can be... a family.'' added Sabin. ''Thinking about it, the three of us complement each other. I lost my father years ago, you are an orphan who never knew his family and Cyan is a father who lost his wife and son.(1)'' In response, Gau hugged them tightly, and they both reciprocated the gesture.
''Even though Gau grew up with monsters, Kefka is more of a beast than Gau ever would be!'' declared Locke.
''Really?'' asked Relm. She hadn't talked much to Gau, perhaps because of the first impression she had made of him.
''We're all serious, kupo.'' replied Mog.
''If you say so.'' commented Relm.
(''Gusty Garden Galaxy- Super Mario Galaxy OST-s'')
Celes looked at Terra and remained silent, thinking of the events of Thamasa. Had Kefka tried to ravish Terra? Just the thought was too disgusting. ''Everything OK, Celes?'' Locke asked her.
''I was lost in my thoughts, Locke.'' she replied. ''I was thinking of Kefka.''
"Had anything else happened before you finally rebelled against the Empire that night at dinner, or were Kefka's plans to poison Doma your only reason?" asked Locke.
Celes sighed. ''Yes, there's more. You see, the morning before, I had refused to command the army to suppress the anti-imperial uprisings in Tzen and Maranda in blood, all after the people of Maranda had been decimated, and when Kefka found out, he was furious.'' she replied, but as she spoke, she seemed insecure, almost frightened. ''I don't know if any of you want to know.''
''Tell us everything.'' said Strago, who was sipping tea.
''Kefka... he humiliated me in public. He lowered my clothes and... he raped me.'' murmured Celes.
Hearing these words, everyone turned around in sheer horror. Relm lost her grip on her brush, Cyan, Edgar and Sabin remained motionless, Terra brought her hands to her mouth, Mog face-faulted, Gau made a gesture as if he wanted to vomit, Setzer nearly ended up making a sudden sharp turn and Strago was so shocked that he spat out the tea he was drinking.
''WHAT?!'' Locke screamed.
''Yes, you heard it right. Kefka raped me in public, in front of all the soldiers, in front of emperor Gestahl, but most of all, in front of Leo and Cid. She stopped it only because Gestahl had ordered it, and I had never felt so humiliated in eighteen years of my life. I didn't show up for the rest of the day, and Leo and Cid went berserk. They were furious both against Kefka for forcing himself on me and doing that horrible thing, and against Gestahl for not stopping him from doing so, their screams echoing throughout the Imperial Palace for hours. The day after that, they were almost voiceless.'' said the woman.
''That's the most disgusting thing I've ever heard.'' said Setzer in disgust.
"So let's get to grips with Kefka, kupo. We already know that he is a murderer, a sadist, a monster thirsty for blood and destruction, a torturer, and now we find out that he is also a rapist?'' commented Mog.
''He is.'' noted Celes. ''And when I saw Kefka touch Terra like that, I saw myself in that situation. But she spat in his face and stood up to him. For Kefka, Terra and I were nothing more than objects, both of us were hench-persons.''
''We'll make you pay for it, Celes. I promise.'' said Locke.
Setzer saw that the Floating Continent was near and no longer taking altitude. ''We're almost there, guys! Get ready for landing!'' he said.
''Very well! We are ready!'' said Locke.
But a loud sound silenced everyone. A Magitek Laser had hit the Blackjack.
''What's going on?! Who shot us?!'' cried Strago, frightened.
''I was hoping it hadn't happened...'' Terra murmured.
''Look!'' exclaimed Sabin. There were several large Magitek Armors made by the Empire, except that they were made for air combat. They were Sky Armors and Spitfires, even more powerful than the latter, and there were even... airships?
''I thought the Gestahlian Empire had no air force, let alone airships!'' exclaimed Locke.
"I thought so too, but two days before meeting you, some units of the IAF, the Imperial Air Force, ambushed me. I managed to escape, but the Blackjack had been damaged.'' replied Setzer. "If we want to reach the Floating Continent, we must destroy them and protect the airship!"
(''Back To Mad- Texas Faggot'')
(Objective: Protect the Blackjack and defeat the IAF!)
Flamethrowers, missiles and lasers fired by enemies began to storm the sky. While controlling the flight path of his airship, Setzer took a deck of tarot, dice and darts and began throwing them at enemy ships, with damage purely related to chance. Sometimes a couple of Sky Armors were destroyed, on other occasions his attacks had little or no effect.(2)
A Sky Armor fired a series of Magitek missiles, but Sabin quickly jumped forward, landing on one of the missiles, and Gau followed him. ''Sabin, wait for me!'' said Edgar, also jumping on the missiles to follow him and hit the mecha, but while using a device similar to a viewer, the Debilitator, to addan elemental weakness to it(ice, in this case), he was amazed to see his brother use the enemy missile to his advantage, staying on it and diverting its trajectory and then jumping at the last second to make it hit the Sky Armor, which he then struck with a blazing kick so powerful that he penetrated the flying machine from the inside and destroyed it, then he went back to the Blackjack. Despite being hit by the flamethrower of one of the Spitfires, Gau destroyed it using the Fira spell to cover himself in a wheel of fire, and then fired an air blade with Aerora, severely damaging a Sky Armor, but being hit by a Magitek Laser.
As Terra and Celes concentrated their powerful spells against their farthest enemies, the Interceptor signaled Relm to climb on his back, and the little girl did so. ''Relm! Where are you going? Relm!'' shouted Strago, concerned.
''Let her go, Strago. She'll be alright.'' replied Terra, who had destroyed an enemy airship with Firaga.
''Are you sure it's a good idea? Relm is a child, after all.'' asked Celes, unconvinced, as she cast ice and thunder spells and fired sphere of light.
''I know her. You have no idea what she can do with her brush, and I felt in her a great magical force, she is a descendant of the Magi.'' said Terra.
''If you say so, I trust your judgment.'' said Celes.
Strago and Celes' concerns were well-founded, as although Relm managed to climb on an enemy Spitfire, she was hit by a powerful laser. However, she got up and struck the center of the Spitfire with her palm, releasing colorful magical energy and stars, before stabilizing by casting Float at herself. Waiting for one of the enemy airships, Cyan prepared to use a Bushido Fang and damaged it with a powerful thrust, then boarded it. Sabin took a large brown hammer and slammed it on the Armored plane with such force as to unleash what appeared to be an earthquake that collapsed the mecha and hit another with the Gigantaxe before being hit by its propellers.
Locke managed to board an enemy airship, burned the sails using Fira magic, and stabbed the soldiers on board. Relm infiltrated an Armored Airplane and used his brush to draw fireballs, damaging it, but it shot a missile.''Protect!'' She responded by casting a spell that created a protective barrier of yellow-orange color, which absorbed most of the damage and left an aura of the same color on her. She stood up a little singed but mostly unharmed while interceptor destroyed the mecha in bites. Strago launched the newly learned Water spell to help her, destroying a Spitfire.
''We have to hit them from afar.'' said Cyan.
''Leave it to me.'' said Edgar, taking a sniper rifle. ''I can hit them safely with my PSG-1.'' He got into position and took aim, hitting an Imperial soldier straight on his head. Celes boarded an enemy airship and defeated some soldiers with an axe, assisted by Locke's speed and the remote spells of Terra and Mog, who was also ringing a magic bell.(3) She then pulled out her axe and blocked a spell with her sword, then infused it with the power of ice and destroyed the airship. As a Magitek Knight, she had been trained to use axes as well as swords.
Sabin and Gau attacked the nearest airship together, dodging missiles and lasers, until the boy surprised him by activating a Rage and using a technique of a Magitek Armor, firing a laser from his eyes and damaging its reactor. Edgar continued to fire from his sniper rifle, hitting other soldiers or explosive barrels to destroy enemy forces. ''Sabin, Gau, I'm going to shoot! Back to the Blackjack, I'll take care of the airships on this side!'' he told them, and the two attacked the airships on the other side, while the king of Figaro shot down the airship they were in before.
Blackjack began to suffer an amount of damage that could not be ignored due to lasers and flamethrowers, and a missile seriously injured Strago. Although he could not get up, he launched Aero and then a blue magic spell, Revenge Blast, firing from his hands three red balls that exploded on the enemy Spitfires and destroyed them. Relm helped him with a magic discharge followed by a Thunder spell.
(''Back To Mad- Texas Faggot-s'')
As the IAF was gradually decimated and destroyed, Locke robbed an Imperial soldier and captured him by pointing a sword at his throat, leading him to Blackjack. ''Now I speak. Where is Kefka?'' asked Edgar, as he pointed a gun at him.
''I... I don't know where Kefka went...'' the soldier stammered.
''Liar. Tell us where he is or your arm will pay the consequences.'' threatened Cyan, who had grabbed his wrist, with his katana a short distance from his arm.
''Stop fucking around and speak up!'' Locke blurted out.
''I don't know where he is...''
''We'll ask you for the last time. Where is Kefka?'' asked Celes in a serious tone.
''Kefka... he's here, on the Floating Continent... he wants to absorb the power of the Warring Triad. If he succeeds... he will usurp these three deities and become the new god of magic.'' explained the soldier.
Sabin threw him into his airship before blowing it up with Fira. ''Well, let's get ready to enter the Floating Continent.'' he said.
But a laugh was heard in the air...
(''Clash on the Big Bridge- Dissidia Final Fantasy NT OST'')
(Objective: Defeat Ultros and Typhon!)
Our heroes looked down and saw a familiar purple octopus. With him was a kind of purple monster with a huge mouth, sharp teeth and a second face on his butt. ''We'll be back!'' said Ultros.
''Really, Ultros? Really?'' commented Edgar.
''Oh, Holy Triad! You again?! You are more stubborn than Gilgamesh!(4)'' snapped Locke.
''This will be our last battle, I swear! I'm honest!'' said Ultros in response.
''Let's just shut his mouth.'' commented Sabin, shooting a fireball at him without even turning around.
Celes concentrated the power of the Fire spell in her sword and hit Ultros with a fiery slash, followed by a Thundara from Edgar, and Mog threw a trident at him.
''Ultros, haven't you flown on that thing?'' asked Terra.
''For your information, it's called Typhon. I know, he's not very smart, but he's quite strong, and...'' said Ultros, but he didn't have time to finish that Terra shot a Firaga in his face. ''Aw, shucks, I lost again! I'm outta here! Take care of them, Mr. Typhon!'' And it vanished into a cloud of smoke.
''Finally. I couldn't stand him.'' said Locke, relieved that Ultros was gone.
''It's not over, we still have to defeat... whatever this thing is.'' said Setzer.
Edgar cast scan magic, accessing information about Typhon. ''Typhon is Ultros' companion. He's powerful, but not very smart. He can shoot fireballs and can unleash... sneezes? I suppose, and these can make us fall from the Blackjack, but Setzer can recover us if something happens. Beware of the strong winds hw can unleash. He is insensitive to fire, but he is weak to ice and water.'' he announced.
Typhon's piercing wind turned out to be a big problem, but Celes cast the Blizzaga spell, trapping him in a large ice crystal that then exploded. This was followed by a Water by Terra and a Bio by Edgar. Setzer rolled two dice and a seven came out, resulting in moderate damage, and Cyan hit Typhon with a thrust and then a Bushido Fang before everyone was hit by a series of fireballs that Relm blocked with Shell, reducing the damage but not undoing it.
''We have to get him out as quickly as possible, we're wasting too much time.'' Celes said.
Relm nodded and took a Magicite, Bismark's. ''Bismark, give us your strength with the power of water!'' she cried out. The whale Esper appeared in a bubble, and as Strago, Relm and Interceptor jumped on his back, he fired bubbles from his mouth that exploded at Typhon despite his raging winds. The elderly wizard combined all this with Aqua Breath, and Relm offered him support by casting thunder spells, which expanded the attack and enhanced it.
Once he received the effects of the Float spell from Celes, Sabin used a new Blitz, Berserker Rush. Surrounded by a red aura, he flew towards Typhon at very high speed, hitting him with extra-quick and powerful punches and kicks, but after that, he was a little weakened as he had used some of his life force, with the red aura on his fist. As a result, he suffered more damage from Typhon's next attack, a large fireball, but when he used an icy punch on the next turn, he too was strengthened. Bismark turned to his side and expelled a jet of water from his blowhole.
''Is it over?'' asked Strago.
Suddenly, Tyfon's body began to swell out of all proportion. ''He's going to blow!'' cried Sabin, as the effect of Float on him had expired.
A couple of seconds later, Typhon expelled all the air, wiping out all but Setzer from the Blackjack.
''I didn't go all this way to die here!'' cried Locke, before the ten landed on something. They didn't even know if they would come out of this air battle alive.
(''Clash on the Big Bridge- Dissidia Final Fantasy NT OST-s'')
''Are you all right?'' asked Setzer, after recovering his companions with the Blackjack.
''I think so.'' said Sabin.
''I'm fine.'' replied Cyan.
''I think my cloak has been turned upside down.'' said Edgar.
''I have something in my eye.'' said Strago, getting up painfully. ''And my kidneys hurt.''
''Seriously, Grandpa?'' commented Relm.
''We will live.'' said Terra.
''Look before you.'' said Setzer. The Returners turned their gaze to their left. There was a huge warship.
(Objective: Protect Blackjack and destroy Air Force to access the Floating Continent!)
Edgar immediately launched Scan. ''That is the Air Force, the most powerful airship of the IAF! It has at its disposal very powerful weapons, such as laser cannons, atomic beams and missiles. Thunder and water seem to be very effective. Better if we are under the effects of Float or we'll fall. The missile launchers are on the sides, while the wave cannon is on the front.'' he said, trying to keep cool.
(''On Glory's Wings- Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn OST'')
After dodging a laser beam, Gau released electricity around him and jumped on the Anti-Aircraft while the girls threw Levite at everyone else except Edgar and Setzer, who focused on ranged attacks. The boy charged against the gliding warship, but his next attack was repelled by a series of missiles. Some hit him, while others were destroyed by plasma bullets fired by Edgar.
"Seriously, these enemy airships just waste our time.'' commented Cyan, who had barely avoided an atomic beam.
''We must destroy the Anti-Aircraft as soon as possible.'' said Celes, preparing a Magilama with the power of ice.
''Comet!'' cried Terra, casting a spella. A series of small meteorites crashed into the Air Force, and only a few of them were destroyed before they could crash.
Cyan was hit from behind by a Magitek Laser, but recovered quickly enough to block another one with his shield and damaged the left missile launcher with a Bushido Fang followed by Fira magic. Gau offered him support by casting Aerora along with Strago, but was hit by the anti-aircraft wave cannon. Relm raised his brush in the air, drawing copies of the weapons on the airship. ''Take this, imperial bi***es!'' she cried.
Strago sighed in exasperation at hearing Relm's sharp tongue. ''Well, if anything, ahe knows what to do.'' commented Sabin, while Celes struck with Spellblade.
Blackjack approached a smaller floating island, and Sabin, Gau and Relm slipped from the top of a mountain to attack from afar with magic and Blitzes. They avoided missiles together, with Sabin sending a couple back to the sender, but soon after, the wave cannon opened fire. ''Look out!'' cried Edgar.
Sabin managed to jump away in time, but to Strago's horror and Cyan's shock, Gau and Relm couldn't react in time and were shot. ''Gau!'' cried Sabin. The martial artist jumped down and managed to grab Gau with his arms, but they were both falling, and Relm was still in the air. Fortunately, Terra used magic to stop their fall, bringing them to safety in the Blackjack, and took Relm in her arms.
''Gau is okay?'' asked Celes.
''Nothing broken.'' replied Gau.
''Oh, for Merlin's beard! Relm, you scared me!'' exclaimed Strago.
''Relm, are you okay?'' asked Terra.
''Don't worry about it, I'm fine.'' replied Relm.
Celes took a Magicite from her pocket and prepared to summon the Esper. "We have to put an end to all this, and quickly. Pegasus, help us!'' she said.
Thus a winged white unicorn appeared. Terra caressed its muzzle and climbed on its back. ''Come on, girls!'' she said, and Celes and Relm also rode the Pegasus, with which they could launch dive air strikes and nimbly dodge lasers and missiles.
''This is so fun!'' shouted Relm in excitement.
While Terra was destroying a missile launcher with Firaga, Setzer had to bend to dodge the laser from the wave cannon, but the Blackjack was hit on the side by the other missile launcher. He rolled dice and got and eight, with decent results, all while Gau, driven by a favorable wind, charged with a ball of electricity on his hand and destroyed the remaining missile launcher.
''Now they will see what a Pegasus Knight can do!'' said Celes.(5) She took her axe and threw it at the cannon before freezing its tip with magic, destroying it.
Sabin lifted the Air Force and crashed it on the floating island, then struck it with Rising Phoenix, and Strago and Relm released a beam of water and a magical discharge, respectively, with small sparks of light surrounding it. Edgar jumped into the air with his spear and pierced the Air Force with the tip before firing plasma.
''Hey! What the heck are you trying to do?!'' exclaimed Setzer irritated, as the enemy airship began to hit the Blackjack, trying to crash it. ''I love betting, but learn to drive and don't let me stop the airship!''
While Relm continued to cast magic, the other two girls riding the Pegasus pulled the reins to make him turn around the Anti-aircraft, dodging the atomic rays he fired and hitting with their swords on one side each, Terra on the left, and Celes on the right, they dropped some components, supported by Gau, who released a lightning bolt from the body, and mog, who had used earth element magic to shoot pieces of rock. However, it was not completely destroyed.
"They are persistent. I'm getting enough of these air fights.'' commented Locke.
"We have to destroy that airship! It's trying tomake us crash!'' said Setzer.
Sabin looked at Gau. ''Hey, Gau. Ready for a combination move? Get ready, we will strike with the force of a boulder.'' he said, and Gau nodded. Using magic, he manipulated pieces of rock, making them spin around the wild boy and enveloping him in a light that, when disappeared, revealed him inside a boulder above the Blackjack. ''And now run!''
Gau began to run like a hamster on its wheel, and Sabin did the same by running on the spot above the boulder. ''Earthen Boulder!'' They jumped, directly hitting the Anti-Aircraft and returned to Blackjack. The enemy airship began to lose altitude, but it was not completely destroyed and fired an atomic beam. To the surprise of the three girls, however, the Pegasus spread its wings wide, raised its paws and fired a ray of light from its horn, overwhelming the atomic beam and hitting the Air Force, which exploded.
(''On Glory's Wings- Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn OST-s'')
''We can finally access the Floating Continent.'' said Edgar, as he reloaded his gun. At the same time, the Pegasus landed on the Blackjack, and Terra, Celes and Relm dismounted.
''We're almost there. I will prepare the autopilot and stop blackjack when we get there. Don't worry, it won't fall.'' Setzer noted.
''It was a great feeling riding this Pegasus. I felt like a queen of heaven.'' said Celes.
''Thank you, Pegasus, great job. You deserve some rest.'' said Terra, stroking the Pegasus and passing his fingers through his warm mane. The winged unicorn responded by licking her neck before returning to being Magilite.
''This will be payback time.'' reflected Cyan. ''Now or never.''
''You bet, Cyan.'' Sabin told him.
''Hey, Terra. I was thinking about something.'' said Celes.
''Really? To what?'' asked Terra.
"Seeing you interact with chocobos, Mog and the Pegasus reminds me of some of my private moments. Often, when I was outside on the balcony of the Imperial Palace in private or with Cid, a passing dove would rest on my index finger, and sometimes a flock of them would rest on my arm. The dove symbolizes peace and purity because of its white coat and sweet nature, and this reminds me of how I hate being submissive to Kefka. I was just an object to him.'' replied Celes.
''It was really fun to fly on that Pegasus, kupo.'' added Mog.
The former Imperial general suddenly thought of something. ''Locke, there's one thing I would like to know. It's about the Phoenix.'' he said.
Locke was a little surprised, but showed her a book, ''Encyclopedia on the Phoenix''. ''Oh, the Phoenix. Take a look. According to legends, the Phoenix is a legendary bird capable of manipulating fire, and is known as the Immortal Firebird. In fact, it never actually dies, since when the time has come to die, it catches fire, and then is reborn from its own ashes. It also has talons that are strong enough to carry heavy loads, its tail feathers can be used to awaken from a coma, and it seems to have strong healing powers through its tears, but with its powers, it can also resurrect the dead.'' he told her.
''That's why you were looking for the Phoenix.'' said Celes. ''For Rachel.''
''Yes, the legendary treasure that people mention is associated with the Phoenix.'' said Locke.
''I'm sorry to disappoint you, but the Phoenix as we know it is not immortal as legends say.'' found Celes.
''What? It's not?'' asked the treasure hunter, caught off guard.
''The Espers are mortal, as we have seen with the experiments on Magitek, and also include magical creatures such as fairies and unicorns. Some time before my rebellion, the Empire was also looking for the Phoenix after discovering that it was an Esper, but never found it. But ita Magicite might be hidden somewhere, and maybe that's the legendary treasure you were referring to.'' said Celes.
Interceptor began to whine again, desperate. Having opened up to others, he had no problem trusting people other than his master, who was still missing. ''I know, Interceptor. We'll find Shadow.'' reassured Relm.
''Do we really have to ask Shadow for help?'' asked Edgar, suspicious.
''Relax, Edgar. We all know his reputation, but I know he has not betrayed us. He left us only to find the Esper on his own, he is a lone wolf. If he had betrayed us, he would have killed us willingly, but it was not the case, and he has been missing for two weeks.'' replied Locke. ''Besides, Interceptor was agitated when he came to us in Thamasa, and before that he didn't trust us. He couldn't have asked us for help if it wasn't important.''
Edgar sighed. ''If you say so.'' he said.
(''Floating Continent- Final Fantasy VI OST'')
Blackjack reached the Floating Continent, and everyone descended to enter the magically raised peninsula. Setzer set up a function of his airship, causing it to stop on the spot, but it was still flying. ''The airship has suffered some damage, but it is repairable.'' he said.
''Let's go. There is no time to lose.'' said Celes.
(Objective: Explore the Floating Continent and find Shadow!)
''I wish all this bloodshed hadn't happened.'' Terra said sadly.
''Yes, but we mustn't think about it anymore.'' Cyan cut short.
Suddenly, some of the ground broke away from the rest and plummeted, with the result that Strago almost lost his balance. ''What in the?!'' he exclaimed.
''This area seems rather unstable.'' noted Celes.
And other parts of the land began to give way. ''Quick! Jump!'' cried Locke. Sabin reacted quickly and immediately jumped to the other side, followed by the others. Relm almost fell, but used Float to get safe and sound, while Strago could barely make it without falling.
''That was way too close.'' commented Edgar, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"The statues of the Warring Triad will be somewhere further. I feel their magic.'' said Strago.
The Floating Continent was full of monsters and villains, including ninjas, dragons, and strange faces. There were also high-ranking imperial soldiers casting powerful spells, and the weariness of our heroes prompted them to use a few potions. During the exploration, Relm was injured by a ninja because she had failed to launch Protect in time to react to his kunai, and although using Cure made her recover her lost stamina, it was not enough to cure her completely. A demonic creature, the Apocrypha, created many problems due to his knowledge of blue spells such as Death Level 5, Holy Level 4 and Flare Level 3, which hit all targets that were compatible, with the result that some of the Returners fainted or were seriously injured, requiring Cura or Raise, but Strago had the opportunity to remember these techniques for the future, as well as the technique 1000 Needles of a ninja. They even came across two Behemoths, large cormuted beasts with a long barbed tail, a mane in the neck area, sharp claws and fangs, and great magical power, and fighting them was particularly difficult: although protected by his armor, Cyan was wounded in one arm when one of the two Behemoths bit his shoulder, and Terra and Setzer were hit in the back by the tail of the other one. But when Celes summoned the Phantom, it wrapped them in a ghostly veil that made them invisible to the Behemoth and Edgar summoned Seraph, who flew around them, scattering angelic feathers and a warm healing light.
When they finally managed to kill the Behemoths through their weakness to the cold, Gau had the opportunity to take his knife and feast on their flesh, which Interceptor also did.
''Ugh! That's disgusting!'' Locke complained, and Sabin grimaced to see Gau eat that way. Cyan didn't seem to know what to say.
Gau turned around, a little irritated. ''What? Behemoth meat delicious!'' he commented.
''Are Behemoth edible?'' asked Terra.
''Yes, my dear. Behemoth meat is very substantial, and for this reason Behemoths are often victims of hunting. In particular, Behemoth steak is considered a luxury meal.(6)'' said Edgar.
''I also ate Behemoth meat, when I was at the Empire, they often served it.'' added Celes.
After about five minutes, Relm noticed a strange colored tile. ''I feel magical power coming out of here.'' she said.
''Let me see.'' said Cyan. He walked on it, and to everyone's surprise, he was enveloped in a light and disappeared. ''I'm fine! I'm over here!'' he shouted, about 200 meters to the right.
''So that's a teleportation device.'' Strago said.
''Let's go forward, kupo!'' said Mog.
Everyone reached Cyan, and Interceptor began to smell the ground, as if he had perceived something, and then began to bark. ''What is it, Interceptor? Is Shadow further ahead?'' asked Terra.
Interceptor nodded and began to bark insistently and went in front of everyone. ''I think he wants us to follow him.'' said Relm.
''Maybe Shadow is near.'' said Sabin.
Interceptor led the eleven heroes on a decadent path, smelling the smell of his master, and when he saw something, he began to whine. ''Why did we stop?'' asked Cyan.
(''Floating Continent- Final Fantasy VI OST-s'')
(''Shadow's Theme- Final Fantasy VI OST'')
Sabin looked around and saw a body. ''Wait. That's...'' he murmured. They approached and saw a man in black lying in his own blood. His ninja robes were torn in several places, and you could see bleeding cuts on his uncovered skin. ''It's Shadow! We found him!'' he exclaimed.
''Shadow, how do you feel?'' asked Terra.
Shadow tried to get up, but fell to the ground again. ''The Empire... has betrayed me. When Kefka realized that I was no longer useful to his purposes after he killed the Espers... he badly injured me and left me to die... That bastard. He didn't even give me the money he owed me.'' he replied. He seemed to be suffering from his wounds.
''If I see him again, I'll skewer him with my katana.'' muttered Cyan in his anger towards Kefka.
''Leave me here. Do what you have to do, but you have to do it quickly. I'll just slow you down.'' said Shadow.
''No, we won't leave you here!'' exclaimed Terra. The mercenary remained... surprised? "Kefka didn't just kill the Espers. He also killed Banon and Leo. I don't want to see anyone die anymore, not after what happened to Thamasa. In the two weeks you weren't there, I was traumatized and slept between nightmares. Please come with us.'' she pleaded him.
Shadow turned his gaze to Relm and Strago, and his expression did not change. Relm approached him. ''You're wounded, let me heal you.'' he said, preparing to cast white magic. ''Cura.''
The healing light focused on Shadow's wounds, stopping their bleeding and closing them, as if they were days old. ''Can you get up now?'' asked Celes.
The mercenary got up. ''I think so. All right. I will accompany you.'' he said.
''Wait a minute.'' Edgar interrupted him. ''I don't want to be rude, but you have a certain reputation, so what will assure us that you will not betray us?'' he asked.
''Because I was betrayed myself, King of Figaro.'' replied Shadow impassively.
''We might need your help, Shadow.'' said Setzer.
"It's a matter of vital importance, kupo. Kefka wants to seize the power of the Warring Triad, and if he moves the statues, he will destroy the entire World of Balance.'' added Mog.
''Well, Strago, we're meeting again. Join us, we can't allow Kefka to have what he wants, not after he did to Thamasa.'' said Strago.
Interceptor gave his master a sad look and licked his face. ''Sorry if I made you worry, Interceptor.'' said the ninja. ''Come all with me. I will grant you my services until we stop Kefka.''
(The ninja assassin Shadow joined the party!)
''Departing from Thamasa, we faced the IAF in an air battle, followed by that hassle of Ultros and his helper Typhon, and then we also destroyed the most powerful airship in the entire IAF, the Air the Floating Continent, we finally found Shadow, badly injured and left to die by Kefka. He wanted us to leave him to die, but we didn't want to, and in the end, he agreed to help us. Since he had not been paid, he had unfinished business with that clown man, who had almost killed him. Our goal was close...'' Mog recounted.
(''Shadow's Theme- Final Fantasy VI OST-s'')
A/N: And this chapter is over! Between air battles, the return of Ultros and the destruction of the IAF, our group of heroes has reunited with Shadow. But what other challenges await him on the Floating Continent? Let's find out in the next chapter! Until next time!
(1): In the manga that tells the story of Edgar and Sabin, Gau, Cyan and Relm are mentioned, and it is also shown that each member of the royal family of the kingdom of Figaro has a secret middle name that he can only reveal to friends and other relatives. Gau and Cyan know Sabin's middle name, Rene, and Relm knows Edgar's, Roni. There it is also shown that Sabin, Cyan and Gau have a family bond and complement each other because Cyan is a father who lost his son and Sabin and Gau are orphans who had no father figures in their lifetime.
(2): Setzer's weapons are gambling items, and the damage of some of them, such as dice, depends on what comes out of them. The idea of a bettor was to be used as early as Final Fantasy V,and Faris was initially supposed to have this role, but the idea was discarded because it didn't work with the atmosphere of the game.
(3): Bells are typical weapons of geomancers, and appear in Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy XI.
(4): Gilgamesh is a recurring rival in Final Fantasy V along with his partner, Enkidu, but also appears in Final Fantasy VI as one of the four exclusive Espers of the ports from the GBA version onwards, where he can be fought with a specific method and then can be summoned via his Magicite, with four special effects depending on which of his three swords shines: if it is the Excalibur sword (left), i will launch a powerful attack with damage of sacred element, if it is the Masamune katana (center), he will launch a non-elemental attack that ignores defenses, if it is the Exalipur (on the right, it is a counterfeit copy of the Excalibur that Gilgamesh often confuses for the real Excalibur) he will inflict only 1 HP of damage, and if all three shine, he will call Enkidu, who will launch a devastating non-elemental magical attack.
(5): Pegasus Knights are classes on horseback from the Fire Emblem series. They are composed of female characters on winged horses, capable of using spears, and have very high Speed, mobility and Avoid, as well as an above-average Resistance (magic defense) for physical classes, but they are weak to bows and wind magic and are more fragile regarding Defense and HP.
(6): Behemoth steak is a meal in Final Fantasy XI that restores HP and provides positive bonuses, and also appears in Final Fantasy XII, where it can be used for an X-potion.